Colombian students explore post-graduate opportunities in North Carolina
Students around the world dream about traveling and diving headfirst into U.S. American culture. This summer, The Global Training Initiative (GTI) at NC State made those dreams come true by hosting 28 undergraduate students from the National University of Colombia (UNAL) for a two-week trip through North Carolina. Students got the chance to observe what higher education is like in the United States, experience life for the typical graduate-level student, improve their English, and explore North Carolina’s rich cultural and historical background.
“Semilleros” means “seedbeds” in Spanish, and the Semilleros UNAL Fulbright Program included a diverse cohort of students spanning a wide age range, from 20 to 44, and representing various regions across Colombia. This unique blend of backgrounds allowed for meaningful connections both within and beyond the group, fostering intentional interactions among the students and with the North Carolina community throughout the entire journey.
Daniela Camargo, a Semilleros participant studying law, appreciated the many benefits of the experience, “It was a good experience because it gave me the [opportunity] to get to know another culture, make good friendships, to let me be surprised about other ways of seeing life. Life in the U.S. is really different than the Colombian one. That’s amazing.”
GTI brought students on a journey to various universities and campus partners within the area. Visits to UNC-Chapel Hill, Meredith College and Duke University gave students a feel for campus life in various types of higher education institutions in the United States. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a variety of experiences, such as attending a Durham Bulls game, visiting Duke University’s Lemur Center, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, and the Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington. The Semilleros group also explored the local history and science museums.
Heleyn Renteria, a Semilleros participant studying political science, thought the overall schedule was great.
“It makes me want to see more of the U.S. and got me interested in this state,” she said.
The program also included a tour of the NC State campus. Renteria shared that her favorite location from the trip was NC State’s Hunt Library, where students were able to observe the university’s innovative and award-winning library.
“North Carolina is a beautiful state. NC State is so big and so pretty. The infrastructure is great. It is the perfect place.”
In addition to visiting and exploring the many locations around North Carolina, the Semilleros students also attended a number of lectures and workshops that covered a wide array of topics, including introductions to higher education in the U.S., cross-cultural competence using virtual reality and entrepreneurship.
Throughout the two weeks of exploration and learning, the Semilleros students stayed in student housing located near NC State’s campus. The experience proved to be a highlight for many, as students relished the opportunity to immerse themselves in the genuine atmosphere of graduate life in the United States.
Each student that took part in the Semilleros trip had the chance to broaden their perspectives, immerse themselves in North Carolina’s culture, socialize with local residents, live the life of a post-graduate in the United States, and acquire the essential insights to guide their higher education choices.
“It was incredible to get to know about different degrees,” Renteria added.
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